Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-11-18

impusvcly. THAT isl beg your lady
ships pardon'-she hesitated, observing
in the dead silence that ensued that the
two superior male beings present looked
at each other in lofty establishment.
ole that is trait'rous to his country"
said Lady Washington coldly, "is apt to
be trait'rous elsewhere"
"'Twere as honest to say that he that
was trait'rous to his king was trait'rous
to his country" said Mistress Thankful
with sudden audacity, bending her knit
brows on Lady Washington. But that
lady turned digniiiedly away, and Mis-
tress Thankful again faced the general.
81 ask your pardon" she said proudly,
'for troubling you with my wrongs. But
it seems to me that even if another and a
greater wrong were done me by my sweet
heart, through jealousy, it would not JUS
tify this accusation against me, even
though she added, darting u wicked
glance at the placid brocaded back of Lady
Washington, "even though that accusa-
ton came from one who knows that jeal-
ousy may belong to the wife of u patriot
as well as traitor" She was herself
again after this speech, although her face
was white with the blow she had taken
and returned.
Col. Hamilton passed his hand across
his mouth, and coughed slightly. Gen.
Washington, standing by the fire with
an impressive face, turned to Thankful
gravely:
"You are forgetting, Mistress Thankful,
that you have not told me how can serve
you. 1t cannot be that you are still con-
cerned in Capt Brewster, who has given
evidence against your other-friends, and
tacitly against you. Nor can it be on
their account, for l regret to say they are
still free and unknown If you come
with any information eXculpating them,
and showing they are not spies or hostile
to the cause, your fathers release shall be
certain and speedy. Let me ask you a
single question; Why do you believe them
honest?"
Because" said Mistress Thankful,
"they were-were-gentlem
'Many spies have been of excellent
family, good address and fair talents, ;"
said Washington gravely; "but you have,
mayhap, some other reason.n
because they talked only to me-" said
Mistress Thankful, blushing nightly;
''because they preferred my company to
fathers; because"-she hesitated a mo-
ment-"because they spoke not of politics,
but-of-that which lads mainly talk of
CONGRATULATED she broke down q
little-"and the baron l only saw once,
but he''-here she broke down utterly
81 must ask you something more"
said Washington, with grave kindness;
whether you give me the information or
not, you will consider, that, if what YOU
believe is true, it cannot in any way in
jure the gentleman you speak of; while,
on the other hand, it may relieve your
father of suspicion. VIII you give to
Col. Hamilton, my secretary, full de-
scrption of them-that fuller description
which Capt. Brewster, for reasons best
known to yourself was unable to giveY'
Mistress Thankful hesitatcd for mo-
ment, and then, with ono of her truthful
| glances at the commander-in-chie began
a detailed account of the outward sem
blance of the count. Why she began with
him am unable to say, but possibly it
was because it was easier, for when she
came to describe the baron she was, re-
greet to say, somewhat vague and figura-
tive. Not so vague, however, but that
Col Hamilton suddenly started up with a
look at his chief, who instantly checked it
with a gesture of his rutlled hand
81 thank you, Mistress Thankful he
said quite impassively, but did this other
gentleman this baron''-
"Pomposo," said Thankful proudly. A
litter originated in the group of ladies by
the window, and became visible on the
fresh face of Col. Hamilton; but the dig.
nifled color of Washingtons countenance
was unmoved
"May | ask if the baron made an hon
orable tender Of his affections to YOU he
continued, with respectful gravity; 'ii
his attentions were known to your father,
and were such as honest Mistress Blossom
could receiver"
Gather introduced him to me and
wanted me to be kind to him. He-he
kissed me and l slapped his face" said
Thankful quickly, with cheeks as red,
warrant, as the baron's might have been
The moment the words had escaped her
truthful lips she would have given her
| life to recall them. To her astonishment,
however, Col. Hamilton laughed outright
but were checked by slight gesture from
the otherwise impressive figure of the gen
eral.
at is possible, Mistress Thankful" he
resumed with undisturbed composure
"that one at least of these gentlemen may
be known to us and that your instincts
may be correct At least rest assured
that we shall fully inquire into it and that
your father shall have the benefit Of that
inquiry"
81 thank your excellency," said Thank
full, still reddening under the contempla
ton of her own late frankness and retreat.
ing toward the door. "I-think-I-must
-go-now 1t is late, and l have far tC
ride
To her surprise, however, Washington
stepped forward, and, again taking hel
hands in his, said with grave smile
"For that very reason, If for no other, you
must be our guest tonight, Mistress
Thankful Blossom. We still retain oul
Virginian ideas Of hospitality, and are